Benjamin Aaron Abel, loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend, peacefully passed away surrounded by family and dear friends on Thursday, June 6, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ben continuously showed courage and bravery throughout his life but especially in his valiant five-year battle against stage four lung cancer. He had unwavering faith as he endured to the end.
Ben was born on March 6, 1984 in Mesa, Arizona to Ronald and Peggy (Meyer) Abel. He was the second of their nine children and spent his childhood in Mesa. After graduating from Mesa High School in 2002, Ben served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cochabamba, Bolivia. On February 4, 2005, Ben married the love of his life, Michelle Judd, in the Mesa LDS Temple. Ben adored Michelle and always spoke highly of her to others. He thought of her as his queen and he loved taking care of her. Ben and Michelle lived in Mesa and San Tan Valley before making Queen Creek their home.
Ben loved children and was so happy to be a father. He and Michelle anxiously waited and persevered to have children and are the proud parents of Brynlee, Tycen, Emery and Kynzie. Ben was a nurturing, hands-on and very present father. He was affectionate with his children, always holding, carrying and playing with them. He played sports and card games with his kids and would participate in any activity to interact and connect with them on their levels. Ben loved supporting his kids in their interests and activities and went to all their games, concerts and recitals up until the very end of his life.
Ben loved his daughters and treated them like princesses. He enjoyed spoiling them and always wanted them to know their worth and that they were special daughters of God. Tycen was Ben’s sidekick and Ben loved his spunkiness and jokes. He taught Tycen to work hard, to be a leader, and to always love and care for his mother. Ben was not afraid of dying, but he fought hard to live because of his care and concern for Michelle and the kids.
Ben attended the Universal Technical Institute for diesel mechanics and spent most of his career in the construction and restoration industry. For the last twelve years, Ben worked for DC Restoration where he made many friends who he considered to be family. Ben took his role as a provider seriously. He always worked hard to provide for his family and to meet all their needs and wants.
Ben was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was an Eagle Scout and loved the scouting program. He enjoyed serving with the youth and made a big impact on the young men he worked with. Ben was grateful to be able to reach the milestone of baptizing all four of his children as members of the Church.
As an avid lover of the outdoors, Ben enjoyed spending time camping, hunting and riding ATVs. He was a longtime ASU football season ticket holder and he loved taking his friends and family with him to the games. Ben enjoyed all kinds of music and loved to blare music in his truck and put on the perfect music for gatherings and parties. He loved to cook and grill. Good food was important to Ben and he found joy in making gourmet meals to share with everyone. He was very patriotic and known for going all out with decorating for the big holidays. He was a jokester and enjoyed pranking and teasing his family and friends. Ben had a special bond with his nieces and nephews and loved spoiling them. He would often sneak them treats and soda and was a fun uncle, taking all the kids for rides on his RZR.
Ben was very talented and creative and could build and fix just about anything. He built and made many things for his home and took pride in having an immaculate yard. He was also an excellent mechanic and enjoyed fixing up a Ford Bronco with his dad in his youth. Ben could often be found helping friends and family with their home repairs and remodeling. He would serve anyone and everyone, helping them with whatever they needed. He sacrificed his own needs for the needs of others until the very end of his life.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Michelle, and his precious children, Brynlee (12), Tycen (11), Emery (9), and Kynzie (8). He is also survived by his mother, Peggy Abel of Mesa, and siblings, Ronald (Cynthia) Meserve of Santa Rosa, CA, Ronda (Larry) Kratzer of Queen Creek, Becky (Josh) Hatch of San Tan Valley, Blake Abel of Mesa, Brenton (Helene Lopez) Abel of Mesa, Brian (Tiffany) Abel of San Tan Valley, Bradley Abel of Mesa, Braden Abel of Mesa, and Connor Abel of Norfolk, VA. Ben will be greatly missed by his 22 nieces and nephews and many cousins and close friends that loved him.
Ben was preceded in death by his father, Ronald, whom he loved and had missed for nineteen years. As the oldest son, Ben stepped in to fill the role as a father figure and caretaker to his younger brothers when their father passed away. The absence of his faithful, steady influence will leave a void but there is great joy in knowing of the glorious reunion Ben is having with his father and the many loved ones who have gone before him.
The Abel family would like to give a very special thank you to Ben’s work family at DC Restoration and will be forever grateful for the way they loved and supported Ben and his family during his fight with cancer. Additional thanks to the medical professionals and the many family, friends and ward members that have offered support and service to Ben, Michelle, and their family over the last several years.
A viewing will be held for Ben on Friday, June 14 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Bunker Family Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 15 at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22035 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral services from 9:00-9:45 AM. The graveside dedication will follow at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms, 22425 E. Cloud Rd., Queen Creek.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
